Ahead of the official announcements, Kotaku is reporting potentially leaked details of the eighth generation follow-up, which is expected to launch in time for the holidays this year. The site writes:

Our source—the same reliable source who back in early 2012 told us the codename for Sony's next console and the codename for Microsoft's next console—tells us that there are two models planned for the new machine, and that pricing won't be announced until later this year, possibly around E3. The current plan, our source says, is to release them at $429 and $529, but that could change.

Those prices would be significantly cheaper than the PS3, which launched starting at $499 USD for a 20 GB console.

The console will reportedly get a new controller with a smaller touchpad in the center, and possibly a special button on the controller to share content. The source also indicates that you'll be able to use your tablet or smartphone as a remote control/controller for the console. And you'll be able to run client apps on popular tablets/smartphones to schedule games to download or to chat with your PlayStation Network buddies.

The supposed "leaked" PS4 controller [Image Source: Kotaku]

The new PlayStation will locally network via Vita, and will feature a new service called PlayStation Eye (not to be confused with the Eye Toy) which allows you to watch streams of your friends' playing games (if they allow it). PlayStation Plus will be replaced by PlayStation World; most of the networked services will be only available via this premium option (Microsoft is going a similar route with Xbox Live).

Times have indeed changed.... I too, have been getting tired at how Sony has tried to limit my PS3 user experience by removing half of the functionality I bought it for, and limiting what I can do in my own integrated home media system.

That being said, I'm actually kind of excited for this next generation... the Knack looks compelling enough to play, and a driving game that lives up to Gran Tourismo 5's hype would be nice.

Another thing it looks like they're fixing is that you can actually just sit down and play games on this thing. My biggest beef with the PS3 is the fact that every time I wanted to play a game, I would sit down and be forced to do a 40 minute update.

So out comes the Vita, which is a lesser pain in the butt for updating. -- or my iphone or android tablet.

The thing is that Sony made the PS3 so bloody hard for everyone to enjoy that it just becomes less enjoyable to game and get excited about the next gen.